(Eugene) This is the first time in De Grasse’s career that he has not reached the podium in a 100m event at the Worlds or the Olympics. American Fred Kerley was crowned champion with a time of 9.86 seconds and was followed by Americans Marvin Bracy (9.88) and Trayvon Bromell (9.88) respectively.
Updated at 12:25 a.m.
Olympic bronze medalist last summer in Tokyo, Canadian Andre de Grasse was eliminated in the semi-finals, like Jamaican 2011 world champion Yohan Blake and Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala, after arriving at the last minute in Oregon due to a visa problem.
De Grasse, a six-time Olympic medalist, finished fifth in his semi-final heat.
The 27-year-old De Grasse finished with a time of 10.21 seconds.
De Grasse told reporters after the semi-final that he hoped “at least to make the final”, but admitted to not being at the top of his game.
“Guys are running fast now and I didn’t have enough energy in the tank (to keep up). […] I wasn’t 100% for the race, but I wanted to do my best. »
De Grasse has still not confirmed whether he will compete in the 200 meters. His coaches keep an eye on the athlete’s situation and his energy level.
A foot injury slowed him down earlier this season. He was starting to regain his form when he stopped the clock at 10.05 seconds at the Oslo Diamond League event on June 16, but announced a few days later that he had contracted COVID-19.
De Grasse recently admitted in an interview with The Canadian Press that he even got a little out of breath when climbing the stairs.
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot on fire in the 1500 meters
Quebecer Charles Philibert-Thiboutot posted his best time of the season in the 1,500 meters and finished second in the qualifying phase.
In addition to Philibert-Thiboutot, 23 other riders have obtained their ticket for the semi-finals, which will be contested on Sunday evening. Among this list, the Canadians Cameron Proceviat and William Paulson also passed the cut.
Philibert-Thiboutot finished with a time of 3 minutes and 35.02 seconds. He was only passed by the Australian Stewart McSweyn (3: 34.91) who evolved in the same wave as the athlete from Quebec.
Canadian Sarah Mitton came a hair’s breadth from the podium in the shot put. She finished at the foot of the podium given her last throw of 19.77 meters.
Jessica Schilder of the Netherlands won the bronze medal also with a throw of 19.77 metres, but prevailed as she had a better second throw than the Canadian. American Chase Ealey won the event with a throw of 20.49 metres.
Canada sent a delegation of 59 athletes to these Worlds, the third largest sports competition in the world behind the Olympic Games and the Soccer World Cup.
De Grasse’s fellow Canadian, Aaron Brown, qualified for the final as the last sprinter drafted. He finished eighth. Brown will compete in the 200 meters on Monday.
Japanese team affected by COVID-19
Seven positive cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the Japanese marathon team present at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, including two athletes, four endurance event staff and the main trainer of the marathon. team, World Athletics and the Japanese Federation announced on Saturday.
The Japanese team had to field six marathon athletes, three men and three women. The men’s event is scheduled for Sunday at 6:15 a.m. (local time), the women’s on Monday at the same time.
“World athletics, the organizers and the Japanese federation are working together to prevent other delegation members from being in the same spaces as other delegations,” the statement said.
The event’s COVID-19 protocol required all attendees to test negative the day before arriving in Eugene, with no requirement to test afterwards.
With The Canadian Press